Setbacks in the hunt for home

Two years ago, they faced disappointment when hopes of creating a community stadium at Thornes Park had to be shelved. The Super League side, which must find a new home by 2012, had previously wanted to create a 12,000-capacity stadium.

But despite years of planning, the project had to be shelved because of the cost and the fact that it would not be able to meet the 2012 deadline.

The club is also facing financial difficulties as it owes 164,000 to HM Revenue and Customs, although a private benefactor had pledged to pay the outstanding bill if the stadium goes ahead.

If Wakefield had failed to gain a positive response for their longed-for stadium at the former pit site, hopes of securing a Super League licence for 2012-2015 would have been jeopardised.